Will's Red Bed

We're familiar with the awesome design sensibility of mom Lisa of Wicked & Weird blog. We featured baby Cameron's nursery earlier this year, a cheerful and bright room. So it's no surprise to us that her other son's room is equally fabulous.

How would you describe the look and feel of this room? Fun and bright and unique, just like Will.

What was your inspiration when putting this room together? I wanted to make a room from the beginning that looked nice to an adult, but that more importantly was fun and inspiring for my son. It ended up being kind of a combination of heirlooms, vintage, and some new pieces that came together really naturally. I like that it doesn't feel like it was a big loud kiddie jumble/toy store or too matchy-matchy. Almost everything in here is sentimental or has a story behind it. Especially since we don't have a lot of family living close to us, I like the idea of my son being surrounded by little pieces that can remind him of how many people out there love him.

What is your favorite piece or element in the room? The red bed of course! [Ours too!] It was my brother's growing up, and my dad got it from his uncle, who had it hidden up in the attic for ages. It is obviously hand made, as all the spindles are different shapes and sizes, and I love the image of a father or grandfather back-in-the-day spending hours making it for a child. It took me hours to paint it, but it seemed to be crying out for red. My dad tells me it is mahogany, so maybe someday I will strip it down to the wood. Who knows?

Are there any other DIY projects here you'd like to tell us about? Hmmm, well my father-in-law made the snakes and ladders game for my husband and his brother, although I am sure it was never intended as wall art! But I just love his drawings. My mother-in-law made the alphabet wall hanging (as well as many quilts, pillow, sheets, a Halloween costume - she is a whizz and I am sure if she didn't live 4 hours away by airplane she would make their clothes too!) My Aunt sewed the Raggedy-Ann doll for me when I was about 7 or 8. And I did my bit by designing the alphabet poster and his portrait gallery of some of his closest stuffed friends. We found the dresser on the curb, brought it home, and painted it white.

What do your friends say about the room? Well, I have nice friends, so they say nice things. :) The sweetest comment was from someone whose taste I really admire, and she said that it was timeless and obviously made with love.

What advice would you give other parents transforming a nursery into a room for a child? Don't immediately take out all the 'baby' things - you would be surprised at what your little one has noticed in their room and gotten attached to. And make sure their is lots of room for the things they love - in my case, books, cars, and stuffed 'friends'. It makes me happy to see him having so much fun in here.

If money were no object, what are your dream sources? Etsy, auctions, Toronto stores Kol Kid, Ella & Elliot, and Baby on the Hip. And maybe a trip to Europe to find something completely out of the ordinary? Although to be honest, spending a ton of money on kids stuff (unless it involves safety) seems kind of crazy to me...